Alienware R10, boot issues with SSD from another computer

Question

I purchased an Aurora R10 Ryzen edition off ebay with no graphics card and no hard drive as an upgrade from my R1 which I was using as a software dev box. So far its been a disaster and I hate this thing.

First off, I have an msi 960 graphics card. I don't do gaming much so I don't really need anything bigger, just something that will handle my 48" monitor. Plugging this in I got no display. I heard this was because Dell requires a Dell branded graphics card. So I got an R7 250 off ebay. From there I was able to at least get display.

Then I plugged in my Samsung EVO SSD running Windows 10. It does recognize it in the BIOS but I can't seem to boot from it. I'm assuming it has to do with Secure boot. I disabled that and wanted to do a Legacy boot, but for the life of me I can't figure out how to enable Legacy boot. UEFI is the only option.

With the amount of information on my drive, reformatting or reinstalling windows isn't exactly feasible, as I have SQL Server, Visual Studio Ultimate, multiple other dev tools, etc running and I'm working easily 12 hours a day including weekends so I don't have much time. Any ideas how I can get this to work?

redxps630 · Accepted Answer

Re: for the life of me I can't figure out how to enable Legacy boot.

R10 BIOS BIOS has option to load legacy rom. try that to see if it will let you boot from old drive partitioned in MBR. when legacy option is loaded, you can press F12 to choose which device to boot from.

System setup options—Boot menu

Load Legacy OPROM

Allows you to enable or disable the Legacy Option ROM

there is also way to convert a boot drive partitioned in MBR to GPT without nee to reinstall OS and make it bootable in UEFI bios. once this is done it cannot be undone.

MBR2GP.EXE is a built-in Microsoft utility located in Win\System 32 directory in Windows 10. MBR2GPT allows you to convert MBR system disk to GPT without deleting data. You can apply MBR2GPT in the following steps:

Press “Windows” + “R”< type “cmd”< Type “mbr2gpt /convert /disk 0 /allowfullos”< Press “Enter”. Then, you will get the following screenshot. mbr2gpt-convert

Re: I heard this was because Dell requires a Dell branded graphics card.

not true but that issue is moot since you have a working gpu now.

Vanadiel · Answer

Just a word of advice on using a bootable windows installation from 1 PC on another. This usually leads to issues where certain things might not work properly, and it is advised to install a fresh copy of the operating system unless it runs in a virtual container.

For booting with a 960, I do not believe that card is UEFI compatible. You can try disabling secure boot and enable legacy oprom, but I think you are better off with the R7 250.

redxps630 · Answer

One user has validated GTX960 (EVGA GTX 960 4GB SuperSC ACX 2.0 Backplate 04G-P4-3967-KR) in R10

secure boot off is good idea. also when you test 960, try use HDMI port instead of DP based on user anecdotes.

JSK-Tech · Answer

Alright sweet!  The windows tool kept failing so I bought AEOMI drive partioner and got it, and am running on the R10 now.  Now any idea about getting that 960 running so I don't feel like I wasted money on it?

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Alienware R10, boot issues with SSD from another computer

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